The rising confusion over extremism in Islam has become a challenge for the Maldives, Vice President Mohammed Waheed Hassan said Saturday.

'There is a rising confusion in Islam over the extremism and this is one of challenges being faced by the democratic government of Maldives,' he said.

Hassan, who is on his first visit to India, was speaking at the foundation day function of the Observer Research Foundation, an independent public policy think tank, here.

The vice president also said that his island nation, along with other Asian countries, were working hard to launch an Asian Initiative to mitigate climate change without waiting for concrete steps from the world community.

'As vulnerable countries to climate change, we feel we should take the initiative. You will soon hear about efforts from the Asian countries who will mobilise their own resources,' Hassan said.

He added that the SAARC (South Asia Association for Regional Cooperation) summit in Bhutan in April will 'focus on this important issue'.

Hassan reiterated the Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed's decision to become a carbon-neutral country within 10 years.